I am sorry you don't see it the same, but I find checking out the rescues as being a positive, even when it's me.

I'd be delighted too, if they cared enough to check me out. So I do see it the same.

It seems that there is a basic misconception (based partly, no doubt, on experience with half-assed rescues who do more harm than good) that to go into a rescue is a last resort for an animal and that any adopter is preferable. I think you mentioned something like this before.

So that's what I was hoping to convince this woman of--that she had a choice when it came to who she gives these animals to. I'm sure that, after being in a job like hers year in and year out, you could become convinced that nothing you do makes a difference.

Good for you! You went back and tried to change the situation, and it sounds like it worked! I think longevity is the key. The longer they see you, the more of a fixture you become, and the old employees will train the new ones that you are ok, you are just part of "the works".

I've been trying to work with the shelter the next county over for a year now, and they still won't release guinea pigs to me-- of course, they say they haven't had any surrenders . . .

I finallly got permission to be on their "educator" list for HRS, not for guinea pigs. So, we are trying a new tactic. We go once a month and help work with the puppies, in order to get to know the permanent staff better. We go once a week when they have rabbits to bring hay, veggies and do floor time. I am hoping over time I become more of a fixture and less of an oddity. So far, the one time I've tried to send an adopter for a rabbit, they told me they'd hold the rabbit, and after she made a 3-hour drive, she arrived to find they had adopted it out.

It's annoying, the staff are rude and less than friendly most of the time, but I don't know of any other way to change things than to tough it out.

Okay, I'll profess ignorance, where does one get a Freedom of Information Act? I know what it is for, but I didn't know it was a paper thing ?

They may really not have had any. I don't know. All of the pet stores in this area will take owner dumps. It's pretty sad. One pet store will call me for anything other than babies-- they sell the babies very quickly, so won't give them to me. I figure saving some is better than none. One pet store I've been banned from in writing for turning them in on several occasions. The other 3 store's managers weren't interested in what I had to say.

They should have the appropriate form on hand for you, if required. Some require you complete the form, others just want a hand written note explaining what you are requesting. There is a minimal charge per hour for research and a copy fee per page if you're requesting photocopied info. As long as your request doesn't violate any privacy acts. (example, the name on a complaint or info on a specific animal that was a private surrender, would result in the name, address of the complaintant or surrender being blacked out)

Calling and saying you'd like to submit a FOIA on the number of rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs whatever may result in them just telling you over the phone depending on how their record keeping is (software vs. paper). Paper records may take awhile!

Will see what I can find out tomorrow--it's puppy day (my motherly way of trying to soothe the child's need for a puppy and my aversion to owning one. Nothing against dogs, it's just the animals already in residence are "prey" and dogs are definitely "predator")